“No Shortage Of Actual Dudes”
June 16th, 2025
Veterans matter.
Teams lacking quality veteran players come up with clichés to explain away why a deep, experienced roster isn’t of great value. But it is.
The Bucs are one of those experienced clubs, especially on defense.
Bucs rookie fifth-round pick defensive tackle Elijah Roberts sees it. In fact, he told The Sports Web that he’s working on developing a personal routine, and there are a load of players worthwhile studying as he goes through the process.
“I really don’t have one set [routine] for myself, just trying to pick up parts of everybody and kind of see what works for me,” Roberts said, noting “there’s no shortage of actual dudes on the team.
One thing Roberts said he was looking forward to was asking newcomer edge rusher Haason Reddick about how he managed his rookie year.
Yeah, routines are important for players. Recently on Get Got Pod, iconic Bucs left tackle Donald Penn reflected on his Bucs years.
Penn was one of Joe’s favorites, and he was a stud, never missing a game in his seven seasons on the roster at left tackle with a Pro Bowl appearance (2010) mixed in.
Penn reflected on his rookie season of 2006, when he was only a practice squad guy who did not see the field. Penn said Derrick Brooks asked him about his offseason plan, and Penn admitted to the legendary linebacker that he didn’t have one.
Per Penn, Brooks replied that he needed one.
The next day, Penn said, Brooks placed a thorough, handwritten development plan in Penn’s locker. Hell of a story.
Roberts and his fellow Bucs rookies have veterans like that on this roster, ones that will go the extra mile to help young players. They might not handwrite anything, but take the necessary steps.
June 16th, 2025 at 8:16 pm
Just to have anything handwritten from the the Man the Myth the Legend would be amazing. What a stud! There is a reason I have a authentic red, white, and orange Brooks jersey never worn in my closet. RESPECT
June 16th, 2025 at 8:30 pm
Those are some big dudes. Looks like YaYa add some weight.
June 16th, 2025 at 8:37 pm
With Reddick, we suddenly have actually dudes across the line. Yaya is a dude. Kancey is that dude. Vita? Come on now. Dudes
June 16th, 2025 at 8:42 pm
Letting Penn walk was one of many less than brilliant free agent decisions the Bucs once made; two more Pro Bowls after he went to the Raiders.
Another was letting Michael Bennett walk off to three Pro Bowls in Seattle.
And, yes, 2008 was not a Derrick Brooks year for Derrick Brooks. But, the way he was jettisoned after starting all season seemed dimwitted, all the more so for the loss of the leadership described in the article.
June 16th, 2025 at 9:06 pm
Watson is comically large.
That’s how Vita usually looks around the other guys, now Vita just looks like one of the guys and Watson is the giant among them.
A lot of size and speed up front, these dudes are gonna be balling, very excited for hopefully seeing a top tier D again.
June 16th, 2025 at 9:35 pm
Yeah, I can see it now! Vita Vea and Desmond Watson passing handwritten love notes back and forth at each others lockers! So cute
June 16th, 2025 at 9:46 pm
I never heard that DB55 story, giving a hand written off-season plan to the new OT. Not surprising. Another JBF gem. Awesome.
June 16th, 2025 at 9:55 pm
Saskbucs
My thoughts exactly..
June 16th, 2025 at 10:36 pm
Penn was fine with stupid Lovie Smith cut him.
He was still playing well.
Penn played 2 more good seasons for the Raiders
June 16th, 2025 at 10:47 pm
There’s a reason brooks is my all time favorite and I’m not even a Seminole fan…go gators and the U baby
June 16th, 2025 at 10:55 pm
I was big mad Donald was able to leave. He went to Raiders I believe. He was a DOG
June 16th, 2025 at 11:43 pm
Good ole Pig Penn. I remember that time ole Penn made Jared Allen bleed on a play he was blocking him. The next 2 snaps Penn got completely destroyed by Allen as the blood ran down his face. Allen laid it to Penn pretty dang good. Besides making the wrong person mad, Penn did a really good job while on the Bucs and should have finished his career here.
June 17th, 2025 at 5:22 am
“Penn was one of Joe’s favorites, and he was a stud”
Agree whole heartedly Joe. Penn was Jensen before Jensen as well. When it got dirty….there he was putting guys in the cheap seats.
Didn’t think my respect for Brooks could grow. I was wrong.
Go Bucs!